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To whipple or not to whipple?

Posted by calvink69 @calvink69, Dec 9 9:28pm

Am 56 years old in generally good health, though with type 2 diabetes. Have a very large (41mm) adenoma in my duodenum. It's not malignant but is of a type that will almost certainly become malignant, it will eventually block my duodenum. I also have abnormal cells in the bulb of my duodenum, so endoscopic removal is not an option. Surgeon is suggesting a full Whipple, without preserving the pylorus. Realize that I'm blessed that things are pre-malignant but also didn't have a Whipple on my bingo card at this point in my life. Whole process has moved very quickly - started with anemia in mid-October and am looking at a potential surgery date in January. Would appreciate anyone's perspective on living with a Whipple and on quality-of-life post recovery.

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calvink69 | @calvink69 | 4 days ago
In reply to @jjmacc "I’m about 11 months post-Whipple (pylorus preserving). Post-surgery chemo until August, so hard to distinguish some..." + (show)
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I’m about 11 months post-Whipple (pylorus preserving). Post-surgery chemo until August, so hard to distinguish some chemo vs surgery recovery/issues. But main continuing issues besides chrmo-induced neuropathy are continued fatigue (could be chemo not surgery), bowel habits more regular but less formed than before, and appetite for various foods changed. Luckily pancreas recovered enough I haven’t needed enzyme replacement after the first couple months. But that was a pain while it lasted (having to take one or more large smelly pills every time I ate made me not want to eat!) Otherwise, next to no pain after initial healing. Haven’t regained my strength/stamina yet but am generally fully functional.

Bottom line - very glad I had it as it’s the only potential cure for pancreatic cancer.

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@jjmacc
Thanks for the reply. The question of pancreas recovery and enzyme replacement seems like a roll of the dice for most. Super happy to hear that this went well for you. Also great to hear about the good recovery outcome. To your point on post-surgery chemo, assuming the dont find something unexpected in my post surgery biopsy I hope to avoid chemo after that whipple, but time will tell.

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jnowling | @jnowling | 3 days ago
In reply to @calvink69 "@luke333 Thanks. Will admit that non-normal bowel movements are towards the top of the list of..." + (show)
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@luke333
Thanks. Will admit that non-normal bowel movements are towards the top of the list of recovery symptoms I'm not looking forward too. That said, its great to hear that you're having mostly good days. Gives me hope as to my outcome. Best of luck in your continued recovery!

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@calvink69
That is a process that you'll work out in time, everyone is different.

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katieliz | @katieliz | 2 days ago

I had the Whipple June 2025, so 6 months out. Bowel movements still wonky - not diarrhea but often loose and more frequent than before with sometimes not a lot of warning (taking Zenpep but dosage still being regulated, adding Vital Nutrients - non-prescription and much cheaper, can order on Amazon). I am 72 and was in excellent shape prior to PC diagnosis Feb. 2025. Definitely said yes to the Whipple, I wasn't ready to check out. Bowel issues are the only thing that I have to pay attention to these days. Pretty much recovered from Whipple after 2 months, and today no pain and I can do everything I did before, back to the gym, etc. Chemo makes me tired, but finishing that in 2 days. Looking forward to 2026! Would definitely make the decision to have the Whipple again, had partial removal of the head of pancreas, also gallbladder and duodenum. Seems my surgeon did an excellent job!

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marienewland | @mnewland99 | 2 days ago
In reply to @katieliz "I had the Whipple June 2025, so 6 months out. Bowel movements still wonky - not..." + (show)
Profile picture for katieliz @katieliz

I had the Whipple June 2025, so 6 months out. Bowel movements still wonky - not diarrhea but often loose and more frequent than before with sometimes not a lot of warning (taking Zenpep but dosage still being regulated, adding Vital Nutrients - non-prescription and much cheaper, can order on Amazon). I am 72 and was in excellent shape prior to PC diagnosis Feb. 2025. Definitely said yes to the Whipple, I wasn't ready to check out. Bowel issues are the only thing that I have to pay attention to these days. Pretty much recovered from Whipple after 2 months, and today no pain and I can do everything I did before, back to the gym, etc. Chemo makes me tired, but finishing that in 2 days. Looking forward to 2026! Would definitely make the decision to have the Whipple again, had partial removal of the head of pancreas, also gallbladder and duodenum. Seems my surgeon did an excellent job!

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@katieliz
That's great to hear! Do you mind sharing where you had your procedure done?

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katieliz | @katieliz | 2 days ago
In reply to @mnewland99 "@katieliz That's great to hear! Do you mind sharing where you had your procedure done?" + (show)
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@katieliz
That's great to hear! Do you mind sharing where you had your procedure done?

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@mnewland99 Yes, I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado procedure done at Memorial Central Hospital, it is part of the UC Health system. My surgeon was John Hamner. I’d read the advice to get a second opinion, but I was afraid that might delay treatment, I didn’t want to wait to get the bad stuff out of me. I researched that the surgeon and hospital were high volume for the Whipple. Things looked good, and I feel very fortunate and thankful that it all has seemed to go well. Chemo made me feel a bit wonky, some bad first bite pain for the first 4 cycles or so, and tired (daily naps), but no horrible side effects that I know others have experienced 😞 ( folfirinox-strong regimen!), and made it through the 12 rounds, though did have the dosage reduced for the last 5 rounds so my platelets could rebound and I could continue.

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stageivsurvivor | @stageivsurvivor | 1 day ago
In reply to @katieliz "I had the Whipple June 2025, so 6 months out. Bowel movements still wonky - not..." + (show)
Profile picture for katieliz @katieliz

I had the Whipple June 2025, so 6 months out. Bowel movements still wonky - not diarrhea but often loose and more frequent than before with sometimes not a lot of warning (taking Zenpep but dosage still being regulated, adding Vital Nutrients - non-prescription and much cheaper, can order on Amazon). I am 72 and was in excellent shape prior to PC diagnosis Feb. 2025. Definitely said yes to the Whipple, I wasn't ready to check out. Bowel issues are the only thing that I have to pay attention to these days. Pretty much recovered from Whipple after 2 months, and today no pain and I can do everything I did before, back to the gym, etc. Chemo makes me tired, but finishing that in 2 days. Looking forward to 2026! Would definitely make the decision to have the Whipple again, had partial removal of the head of pancreas, also gallbladder and duodenum. Seems my surgeon did an excellent job!

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@katieliz An easier way to optimize pancrealipase dosage is using the on-line dosing calculator at pertcalculator.org.

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